The new ordinances are aimed at preventing a practice called “predatory towing.”

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Commissioners said last week that predatory towing is when towing companies prey on drivers who may leave their cars in lots in the tourist district on International Drive to walk to nearby stores and restaurants.

From 2005 to 2012, towing on International Drive increased from 3 percent of the total county tows to 22 percent, according to Orange County officials. Many of the area’s tows were facilitated by “spotters,” who are contracted workers who spot people parking their cars and where they go and then notify the tow truck drivers, officials said.

Under the new ordinance, “spotting” is illegal and business owners or strip mall representatives would be required to sign off on the towing from a commercial area.

Also under the new law, tow companies are required to accept debit or credit cards as forms of payment, as opposed to just cash.